Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Pray Always

Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

We are to pray always, non stop,

1 Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.

communing with the Father with all prayer and supplication IN THE SPIRIT.

Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

We pray in the Spirit and the Spirit carries our prayers to the Father through our Great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

We are to ask in Jesus name.

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

All our supplications, our needs, our wants, our asking and are intercession for ourselves and for others we take to Him. Watch, stay awake and alert in the Spirit, with all perserverance, do not quit, do not give up, keep going. Pray for all of your brothers and sisters in the LORD, and for those who teach or lead you, that they may be bold. We need bold teaching and preaching of the word of God.

Eph 6:19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

2 Cor 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 Cor 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2 Cor 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Cor 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
2 Cor 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Cor 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

LORD help us to speak your message at the opportunities we are given. Be ever close and be our strength, my God. Help us to overcome the flesh and the devil that hinder our walk with you.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We must be in Christ Jesus, our Lord and savior, or we have no power to resist the devil. We cannot have second hand faith or speak someone elses sermon as our own. We must have the power of the Holy Spirit through the new birth in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus knows his sheep and the devil knows who are real or pretenders.

Acts 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
Acts 19:14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
Acts 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
Acts 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

The flesh is no match for the devil. We must have God's Spirit to overcome him and the word of his authority. Religion will not overcome the devil, only Jesus has overcome him, by the finished work on the cross. We must go to that cross daily and walk in His Spirit, praying in the Spirit without ceasing.

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

There are many in power, serving the devil in high places. Their time will come and they will be eternally in the Lake of Fire, if they do not repent.

Eh 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Our prayers will hinder the power of Satan. Pray for God's will and righteousness in high places.

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

We are the family of God in Christ Jesus, amen.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Remaining faithful when life gets hard

Job 27:1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,
Job 27:2 As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;

The things that were happening to Job, he had no answers as to why, he was not understanding and vexed by the advice of his two friends. We do not have to know why God allows things to happen in our lives. We just know that he is greater than our circumstances. Job is for our example.

Rom 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Job 27:3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
Job 27:4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.


Job was not going to blame God or bring dishonor to his LORD. We are tempted to react in the flesh as others of the flesh, but we are to trust God and not complain. Usually with time, things will get better for God is faithful. Job had suffered greatly for no fault of his own. Satan was allowed to afflict him; the purpose was to show that Job was faithful to God. Will we remain faithful? We must keep our eyes on Jesus.

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Job 1:8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Job 1:9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
Job 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Job 1:12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Hear this now; we are going to face persecutions and afflictions and hard times. In these times we are to remain faithful, trusting the LORD. All others may fail you, but you must remain faithful. As the song goes: the God of the mountain is God of the valley, he doesn't change, so we do not leave our walk with him, we keep going.

Job's wife was to be his companion and comforter, but she had little faith in the LORD. She was less than helpful.

Job 2:7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
Job 2:8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

It takes faith and commitment to remain faithful when your closest friend gives you bad advice. This is why Jesus spoke of loving him and following him to be his disciple.

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

The Greek word for hate means to love less and less, whereas we are to love and follow Jesus and to serve him more and more. We are to know the voice of God and obey him above all others, even those who try to help us with their wisdom; the wisdom of God is greater.

1 Cor 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1 Cor 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
1 Cor 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Job 27:5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

Job was not going to agree with his friends who found fault with him, giving reasons why he was afflicted. He was not going to give them a piece of himself, but he was determined to stay faithful to God, who is the judge of all.

Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

His righteousness was as Abraham, through faith in the word and promises of God. Our righteousness is by faith in Jesus Christ who was not yet revealed to Job.

Job 27:7 Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
Job 27:8 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?


Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

We are not to envy the worlds wicked who make gain by wickedness. The soul is eternal. We are to prepare for eternal life in all that we do. When life disappoints you, count your many blessings. Often we covet what God has not ordained for us. Trust God for all good things and in times of heartache and pain. Do as David, who when all blamed him and forsook him, he encouraged himself in the LORD.

1 Sam 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Job 27:9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?
Job 27:10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?


This is the final proof of who trusts the LORD. Will God hear the wicked? maybe not.
If Job were wicked and sinful as his friends reasoned him to be, would he continue to delight himself in the LORD? Will he always call on the LORD?

2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

The wicked will turn away and curse God, but Job proved his righteousness by faith, by remaining faithful. We will remain faithful, no matter what comes. Trust the LORD, realize the enemies of your soul and continue to trust. Life will get better in His time.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Judgement Day

Isa 66:15 For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
Isa 66:16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
Isa 66:17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

This is similar to the account in Revelation

Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Rev 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
Rev 16:17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
Rev 16:18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
Rev 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
Rev 16:20 And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
Rev 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:
Rev 17:2 With whom the kiings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Isa 66:18 For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.

When the Lord comes back to Jerusalem, the armies of the nation shall be destroyed with those practicing false religions, spiritual fornications under the trees. Evil will be separated from the remnant of God.

Isa 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

Missionaries will be sent to the nations, to Tarshish (Spain, France and Italy), Pul and Lud, probably represent Africa. Tubal is the region of Russia and Javan is Greece as well as the far off lands. Although these lands had been evangelized in the past, they may have fallen away, as predicted in the time of the antichrist. His time will be over at the appearing of the Lord. In Europe and even in the United States, there is a spirit of antichrist and once great churches are now empty. Always there is a remnant, even in great compromising churches who no longer preach the gospel. When the Lord comes all will hear of his glory. We now are to preach the glory of the Lord, it is our Great Commission.

Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

If we are raptured, there will be almost no one to tell the nations of the glory of the Lord, until the LORD commissions the 144,000 Jews from the twelve tribes.

Rev 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

Isa 66:20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD.
Isa 66:21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levities, saith the LORD.

An offering of living souls as in Romans 12.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

From those saved Jews and Gentiles shall come priests and Levites, servants of the LORD.

Isa 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

2 Pet 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Isa 66:23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

The priests and Levites of old were to prepare for and keep the sabbaths and new moons. Some of these early forms of worship may be practiced during the Millennium as a remembrance and as a fulfillment.

1 Chr 23:31 And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD:
1 Chr 23:32 And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD.

Jesus is the substance of the holy days. He is LORD of the Sabbath.

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
No longer will worship be a shallow ritual, but all will worship God from a heart filled with His Spirit and His truth in His presence.

Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

As the citizens of Nazi Germany were to look upon the mass graves and the pitiful condition of the Jewish prisoners, so in the time of Christ's return will the nations look upon the millions of slain in Armageddon. Those in Christ shall live forever in the coming new heaven, but those who oppose him will be cast into the lake of fire, where the worm dieth not.

Mark 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

This concludes our study of Isaiah, 66 books as there are 66 books of the Bible. They are to show us our need to obey God and to follow him until we are reconciled to God. The end result of our journey will be heaven or hell. We are warned throughout the Bible to follow God, to only fear God, to stay the course, for it is in preparation for eternity. May our life count for good in His purpose and may our faith and obedience bring us eternal life in Christ Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

The Voice From Jerusalem

Isa 66:6 A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompense to his enemies.

The LORD speaks from His temple in Jerusalem; He will recompense, fully pay back his enemies for their sins.

Deu 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

When we stray from the LORD our path is slippery; we will soon fall. Yet, we must get up and by faith, continue in our walk with the LORD.

Isa 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.
Isa 66:8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

The things of God are contrary to our ways. We seek God our way, but after years of struggling, we are broken with a sorrowful heart and suddenly the LORD sees us and we respond to his call, we are touched and changed. Through Jesus we become new creations.

Isa 66:9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

I see in this that often God's people want things to happen before the time. They are impatient and when times of travail come, through much suffering, through much prayer, the LORD will deliver. We expect it to be quick and easy. When he comes, things Will move quickly. When Zion turns to the Lord with a whole heart there will be miraculous changes; the curses broken and freedom shall come, through Christ Jesus. Spiritual Jerusalem gives birth without pain:

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

There is a separation of time of 2000 years in this verse of promise. It seems like a long time to us, but as nothing to the LORD; by faith it is assured. Can you see Jesus at his return? Can you see by faith that Lucifer will be bound and cast into a bottomless pit for a thousand years? This will happen as shown in the Revelation. Suddenly the tempter is removed and we live under the perfect Word of God. The Word of God will be taught, lived and honored and we shall live in peace. We wait and wait, generation after generation, by faith in the promises of God. Suddenly the curses are reversed, we live in a righteous world and Jesus is our King. At last and it will be worth it all.

Isa 66:10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:
Isa 66:11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

The glory of Jerusalem shall be the presence of God's son. The time of the Gentile rule is over. Those Gentiles who receive the LORD shall be saved with the believing Jews.

Isa 66:12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.
Isa 66:13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

The Lord is our comfort, he has given us the comforter, the Holy Spirit, but when he returns he will also be our comfort. We shall see him as he is.

Isa 66:14 And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.

We may suffer for a time, but it will be worth it. The Lord suffered much for us.

Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He shall rule with an iron rod keeping the peace and He is our gentle shepherd.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Not Ashamed

Isa 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?

This puts things into perspective. God is sovereign; can we limit God? Can we build him a dwelling place? Yet, he has chosen to make us His dwelling place; the God of omnipresence, who inhabits all creation, has given to us a special unction of the Holy Spirit. We didn't do it, he did this through His Son who shed his blood for our redemption, justification and sanctification. The heaven or heavens are His throne, all creation physical and spiritual. Earth is but a footstool, so what does that make us? In ourselves we are as ants, but he himself has lifted us up out of the dust, given us a new spiritual birth and made us the children of God. What a glorious salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.

Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Who will the God and creator of all pay attention to: Is it our wealth? Our Speaking ability? Our position of importance? Who will God look for? But to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. Poor of spirit, not full of self, challenging God. A contrite spirit, not full of self pride, but sorry for sins. You reverence and tremble at his word, instead of doing your own thing and calling "that book" as archaic and written by men. One sign of being born again, is reverence for His word and a desire to obey God.

The LORD speaks to the idol worshippers of Judah

Isa 66:3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

They did their own form of religion and their hearts were far from God. From the LORD's viewpoint; the sacrificing of an ox was as killing a man, from these disobedient worshippers. All they did was an abomination to him. Where were their hearts? Those who reject Christ have made their own distorted values, for example: a compulsion to save the whales combined with a mandatory granting of abortions, the killing of unborn babies for stem cell research and the policy makers denying of the elderly of health care, because they have no value. Another way of seeing this; their sacrifices were only adding to their sinful behavior. What good is a religious sacrifice if it is to a false god or from a sinful rebellious heart?

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Isa 66:4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

They would be cursed and follow after delusions instead of truth. We see this in the world today for those who have rejected God and Christ. They make up delusions of evolution, mother earth, green policies, global warming, and one world government. The Christians who trust God and his Word and follow His truth, are branded as the enemy, the intolerant ones, people of hate speech, because they oppose the sins of the world. Gay pride and their claim of love, cannot replace a humble and contrite spirit. Not only are they not sorry for their behavior, but they want to make it the law of the land. When I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear. This is the blindness of self made religion. They do not hear from God when he calls, but they hear false teachers and false spirits. They do not obey the true God, but they do evil before His eyes. He sees it all, without the slant of the world's news. Those who worship the God of Israel hear him and obey him, for he will avenge his elect.

Isa 66:5 Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders and he spoke to them.

John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

If we fear God, we tremble for hunger of his word and speak his word as it is life and truth; then some religious people may break fellowship with you, but if you trust and obey the LORD, you shall be rewarded by him. Saul of Tarsus thought he was serving God when he rounded up Christians, but when he saw the light that was Christ Jesus, he became the greatest apostle. We are to continue to shine the light of Jesus in a sin darkened world.

Psa 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Psa 34:5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
Psa 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psa 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

From the beginning, man has had to make choices. Will you follow the voices of the world, or hear and follow the voice of the LORD? The world is seeking an earthly paradise their way; through their own thoughts and reasoning and actions. They reject God and Christ Jesus and will be cast out. Those who are of a poor and contrite spirit, who tremble at his word, he will receive in Christ Jesus.

Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

The way to paradise is through the cross of Jesus and his blood spilled to make us clean of sins. The world is becoming more and more evil, but we are not of the world. We must shine as the light of Christ, even if this may result in persecution while saving some from the fire.

2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Tim 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2 Tim 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,...

We please God, not man.